Exeter City returned to the summit of League Two after Pierce Sweeney's header secured a 1-0 win at Carlisle.

In a game full of chances for both sides, it was the right-back's second-half effort which was enough for the Grecians, who are top after Notts County could only draw 1-1 with Forest Green Rovers.

Paul Tisdale made two changes to the side that comfortably saw off Morecambe 4-1 last weekend, with Hiram Boateng coming in for Jordan Tillson, who’s injury doesn’t appear to be as bad as first thought as he made the bench.

Lee Holmes returned on the left-wing in place of Dean Moxey, whilst Ryan Harley and Ryan Brunt continue to recover from injury.

A quiet Brunton Park was brought into life in the early stages after Carlisle captain Danny Grainger’s long-range effort just went just wide following a short corner.

Seconds after that acrobatic effort, Reid’s thunderous shot was tipped over Bonham in a lively opening five minutes.

Then, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out. A short corner found Holmes, who’s looping cross found Troy Brown, who headed home, but was adjudged to have fouled in the process.

Jake Taylor saw a curling effort from 25-yards out well held as the game settled after a frantic opening exchange.

Carlisle then had shouts of a penalty turned down after Woodman appeared to bring James Brown down in the area, but the referee waved half-hearted appeal away.

Just past the half-hour mark, Luke Croll’s afternoon was prematurely ended after limping off with a leg injury. The centre-back was replaced by Moxey, who played in an unusual position at centre-half, as City maintained a 4-4-2 formation.

The Grecians could, and should have taken the lead in first-half stoppage time. An inviting cross from Holmes on the right was met by Boateng, but he leaped a little too late, and saw his header just go over Bonham’s goal.

City went in at half-time with the better chances, but couldn’t make them pay.

Tisdale’s side started the second-half brightly and took the lead in the 47 minute.

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A cross was met by Brown at the far post, who nodded back inside the six-yard box which found Sweeney, who rose highest to nod in from close range.

That goal settled City will in the second-half as Carlisle struggled to get a foothold into the game.

Reuben Reid, who was having a fairly quiet afternoon, had a great chance to double the lead on the hour mark. Lovely play from City found Woodman, who’s inviting cross found the striker at the back post, but he could only guide his header wide.

That miss spurred Carlisle on, who had two good chances to level shortly after.

First, Luke Joyce had a long-range effort well saved by Christy Pym at his near post.

Then, the Cumbrians had a great chance to equalise, when Shaun Miller’s downward header was creeping in, only to be cleared off the line from Moxey as Keith Curle’s side finally started to apply some pressure on City’s defence.

Tillson came on for Reid as City reverted to a 4-5-1 and looked to see the game out.

Pym was then called into action in the final ten minutes, and somehow kept Carlisle at bay after the homeside’s corner was met at the backpost, and with the header surely heading in, Pym somehow tipped it over, before the ball clipped the crossbar.

City had a great chance to wrap the game up as stoppage time approached. Taylor fed Stockley through, but his effort inside the area was cleared off the line.

With five minutes added on, veteran defender Clint Hill's header went agonisingly wide as Carlisle piled on the pressure.

But City held on to move two points clear of County at the top of the league